Dr George Akuffo Dampare, the IGP, said the police have a duty to perform and are authorised to make arrests at any hour of the day, particularly when persons fail to obey invitations.
He stated no one is above the law and that the country’s rules must be made to operate.
As a result, he urged media groups to make it plain to their members that if caught breaking the law, the law would prevail.
Last Friday, the Police Administration met with members of the Ghana Journalists Association to explore how the police and the media might work together to promote peace and security for the country’s growth.
GINA and PNAGA were also present.
The talks focused on enforcing laws against journalists who break the law, protecting press freedom, and fostering police-media ties.
Dr. Dampare believes media outlets should publicly denounce unprofessional behavior bordering on crime, since silence emboldens those who engage in such activity.
He also urged increasing criminal education, holding media practitioners responsible for their activities, and punishing those who assist media practitioners who break the law.
According to the IGP, journalists must verify the information they publish.
Courses
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Mr Kwesi Ofori, the media has recently begun collaborating with the police to promote peace and order, with the police now recognizing the media’s efforts.
That alliance, he said, has boosted Ghana’s worldwide reputation as a media-free zone.
Media accountability
The GJA President, Mr Affail Monney, reiterated the media’s role, saying that although journalists want freedom, they must also be accountable.
He said, however, that arresting journalists should not be done in a way that disrespected their dignity.
He believed that if the police and media leaders worked together to prosecute offenders, it would enhance the police-media relationship.
He added the cops shouldn’t be regarded as being harsh with the journalists.
Agreement
After the discussion, the police administration and media leaders agreed that no one was above the law and that laws must be enforced.
Regardless, they agreed that enforcing the law should not cause a gap between the police and the media.
The police must rely on the media leadership to provide media practitioners desired by the police to aid in investigations.
Source: TheBBCghana.Com
